According to Chinese official media, a severe earthquake of 6.2 magnitude shook China’s Gansu-Qinghai border area on Tuesday, killing at least 118 people and injuring over 500 others.

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded the magnitude of the earthquake as 6.1, whereas Chinese official media reported the tremor as 6.2.

The earthquake occurred at a time when the region was experiencing bitter cold, with the temperature hovering around – 14 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning.

The seismic event struck at a depth of 35 kilometers, with its epicenter 102 kilometers west-southwest of Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu. According to state media reporting, major earthquakes were also detected in various sections of Qinghai province.

The quake seems to be a thrust-type rupture, one of three above magnitude 6 quakes to strike within 200 kilometers of the epicenter since 1900.

The quake leaves a path of damage in its wake

The 6.2 magnitude quake at midnight destroyed 6,381 homes. According to local accounts, 32 aftershocks have been observed thus far, with the greatest recording a magnitude of 4.0.

The earthquake damaged several remote roads, causing power outages and telecommunications difficulties. Overnight, the maintenance staff worked to fix the damaged infrastructure. 

Several settlements had power outages and water disruptions.

The Ministry of Transport, which monitors road conditions, said on Tuesday morning that a bridge spanning the Yellow River had fractured as a result of the earthquake.

The provincial fire and rescue service dispatched 580 rescuers to the disaster region, assisted by 88 fire engines, 12 search and rescue dogs, and more than 10,000 pieces of equipment.

Rescue and relief operations are under progress

The state administration has mobilized rescue and relief efforts in light of the current crisis. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang of China have ordered all-out rescue efforts to reduce casualties following the earthquake. Xi directed that the injured be rescued and treated as soon as possible, and that the earthquake situation and weather changes be properly monitored to avoid additional disasters.

A working party has been despatched to examine the impact of the disaster and to give direction for local relief activities.The Ministry of Emergency Management and China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction, and Relief have declared a category IV disaster relief emergency.

Water, energy, transportation, communications, and other infrastructure have been affected, but officials are yet to provide additional details.

Passenger and cargo trains going through the seismic zone have been halted, and railway rails have been inspected for safety.

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